Quotes on Change

If there is one lament I cannot abide – and I hear it from adults as well as students – it is the poor, pitiful, withered cry, “Well, that’s just the way I am.” If you want to talk about discouragement, that is one that discourages me. Though not a swearing man, I am always sorely tempted to try my hand when hearing that. Please spare me your speeches about “That’s just the way I am.” I’ve heard that from too many people who wanted to sin and call it psychology. And I use the word “sin” again to cover a vast range of habits, some seemingly innocent enough, which nevertheless bring discouragement and doubt and despair. — Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “For Times of Trouble,” BYU Devotional, March 18, 1980

It has been said by Bruce Barton that, “When we’re through changing, we’re through.” There is no age when we are too old or too young or just too middle-aged to change. Perhaps old age really comes when a person finally gives up the right, challenge, and joy of changing. We should remain teachable. How easy it is to become set. We must be willing to establish goals whether we are sixty, seventy, fifty, or fifteen. Maintain a zest for life. Never should there be a time when we are unwilling to improve ourselves through meaningful change. — Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “Progress through Change,” Ensign, November 1979, p. 61